News Round-up

On the Soap Shrink’s Couch: Y&R's Katherine Chancellor, Daytime’s Greatest (Though Most Self-Destructive) Dame
Damon L. Jacobs writes: "When you think of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS' Katherine 'Kay' Chancellor, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Is it her fiery take-no-prisoners passion? Is it her unsinkable resilience? Could it be her sharp tongue or trademark short blonde locks? I think we can agree she embraces all of these qualities. But at the same time this 'Duchess' can be incredibly vulnerable, sensitive, and arguably the most self-destructive leading lady in daytime history. How can all these qualities exist in one person?"

Spotlight On Joel McHale Of THE SOUP
He once played a State Trooper on GUIDING LIGHT.

TV Squad Ten: Fearless predictions for 2009
#9 - "NBC will be create American telenovelas. The influence of Telemundo in the NBC Universal family will lead to the creation of a new business model. Since, it has this telenovela studio in Miami making Spanish soaps, I predict that a US variation is the next big thing. It could be the way NBC re-creates daytime drama, especially if DAYS OF OUR LIVES doesn't moves up in the ratings."

Mid-season premiere of NIP/TUCK hints at series facelift
"So, why did NIP/TUCK become a cross between THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and THE LOVE BOAT? A revolving door of guest appearances, each one weirder than the one before it (Larry Hagman? Rosie O’Donnell?), and increasingly ridiculous storylines sunk “Nip/Tuck,” making it repetitive, disingenuous, and disposable. The show became as surface level as the clients of McNamara/Troy.

How refreshing then that the mid-season premiere of NIP/TUCK brings the focus back to where it should have been for the last two and half years - the characters of Sean McNamara and Christian Troy."

Robin McGraw Gets Beautified
Robin McGraw, best-selling author and wife of television talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw, guest stars as herself on CBS's THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL on Wed. Jan. 14. McGraw, whose new book,"What's Age Got to Do with It" hits bookstores on Tuesday, Jan. 6 and appears in a scene with "B&B" star Lesley-Anne Down (Jacqueline Marone). In the scene, Robin offers advice to Jackie on how to live her best life.

EASTENDERS' Letitia's hot new body
Former EASTENDER Letitia Dean has unveiled a sexy new figure that would be sure to get Phil and Grant panting. The 41-year-old actress – who also appeared on STRICTLY COME DANCING in 2007 – showed off her slimline body in Lycra as she posed for Closer magazine.

The future of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS?
E! Kristin Dos Santos says: "No decisions have been made yet, but according to big-time FNL fan Chris Littmann of The Sporting News, the ratings trend on DirecTV is at least positive."